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Tue, 03 Mar 2015 18:56:02 +0000Joomla! 1.5 - Open Source Content Managementen-gbOutcome of the IBD Research Priority-Setting Partnershiphttp://www.bsg.org.uk/research/news/outcome-of-the-ibd-research-priority-setting-partnership.html
http://www.bsg.org.uk/research/news/outcome-of-the-ibd-research-priority-setting-partnership.htmlAfter an incubation period of several years, the IBD PSP has completed the exercise to determine and rank research priorities in IBD. The PSP consisted of patients, carers and clinicians (surgeons, nurses, dieticians and medical gastroenterologists) and worked to an iterative process designed and supervised by the James Lind Alliance. More than 1600 suggestions were made, which through a process of elimination (not research uncertainties, duplication of ideas from multiple sources, not treatment-related etc) were whittled down to a list of 70 that were voted on to yield a shortlist of 25 questions for discussion and further ranking by the group. The research priorities that were ranked 'top 10' have been sent to the National Institute for Health Research Evaluation, Trials and Studies Coordinating Centre, to feed into the process of determining where research funding should be directed.]]>j.solomon@bsg.org.uk (Julie Solomon)frontpageFri, 27 Feb 2015 18:08:45 +0000How does the HTA work?http://www.bsg.org.uk/research/news/how-does-the-hta-work.html
http://www.bsg.org.uk/research/news/how-does-the-hta-work.htmlThe first of a series of articles from Professor Tom Walley, Director of the NIHR HTA Programme, covers how the HTA staff prioritise topics for research and for funding.]]>j.solomon@bsg.org.uk (Julie Solomon)frontpageFri, 27 Feb 2015 16:20:25 +0000Chief Investigator/Study Team of the Year award - NIHR Portfolio research in the North East and North Cumbriahttp://www.bsg.org.uk/research/news/chief-investigator/study-team-of-the-year-award-nihr-portfolio-research-in-the-north-east-and-north-cumbria.html
http://www.bsg.org.uk/research/news/chief-investigator/study-team-of-the-year-award-nihr-portfolio-research-in-the-north-east-and-north-cumbria.htmlProfessor Colin Rees and the DISCARD2 Study Team recently won the Chief Investigator/Study Team of the Year award, which was presented at the Annual Network Meeting on the 4th February 2015. The awards showcase and celebrate the impact that motivated individuals and teams have had on the set up and delivery of NIHR Portfolio research in the North East and North Cumbria. The DISCARD2 Trial was funded by the NIHR’ Research for Patient Benefit Programme and was a particular highlight for regional gastroenterology research.

The multi-centre study, sponsored by South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust, recruited patients from six hospitals in the North East and North Cumbria (NENC) local research network (LCRN). In addition to South Tyneside, University Hospital of North Tees, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, North Cumbria University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, and South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust were involved. The trial involved around 40 endoscopists.

Working with Durham Clinical Trials Unit (DCTU), the study used the collaborative infrastructure created by the Northern Region Endoscopy Group (NREG) and the NENC Clinical Research Network (CRN), including the Gastroenterology Speciality Group (SG), to successfully deliver DISCARD2. Each of the recruiting centres demonstrated rapid approval times; network-funded nurses supported the study, enabling efficient recruitment to time and target. There were 1731 phase 1 patients and 730 phase 2 patients recruited over an 18 month period.

DISCARD2 assessed the accuracy of narrow band imaging (NBI) optical diagnosis in characterising colonic polyps found at colonoscopy during routine practice compared with standard histological assessment of small colonic polyps (<10mm).

The BSG congratulates Professor Rees and the whole DISCARD2 team on their award.

There are two major changes in HCV therapy which now have NICE and/or NHSE approval for use. The first is that commissioning guidance for the use of Simiprevir is published (http://www.england.nhs.uk/commissioning/spec-services/npc-crg/group-a/a02/). This allows G1 patients without Q80K to access triple therapy now using Simiprevir instead of Boceprevir or Telaprevir.

The second and probably more significant development is the approval of Sofosbuvir. The approval can be summarised as below:

The NHSE approval is for cirrhotic patients to access treatment in April with non-cirrhotic patients from July.

There is a meeting at Barts on 3rd March 2015 (advertised by BVHG) to establish clinical guidelines as to who to treat with what when. It is highly likely that by July other agents approvals will make the interferon component of the regimen outdated. NHSE will establish a process by which the drugs will be distributed shortly but it would seem prudent for centres to enter local negotiations now in order all are ready to prescribe when we are given the approvals. It is pretty certain that similar data gathering will be required as for EAP.

This follows consultation from NICE, to which the BSG and others responded strongly and expressed concern on behalf of UC patients at the potential withdrawal of a type of drug that has a proven stabilising impact on those suffering from UC and living with the chronic long-term effects of it.

Economic analysis in conjunction with partner organisations also demonstrates the cost benefits of these drugs to the economy.

There are known to be at least 300,000 patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease in the UK, although the true figure is almost certainly much higher. The main conditions are Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease.

"This is great news for our patients with ulcerative colitis and the British Society of Gastroenterology strongly support this. NICE has listened to the specialists – clinicians and patients alike - and done the right thing. This is the first new class of drugs to be approved by NICE for UC and a valuable tool in the fight against UC. Hopefully most patients will not require such drugs but it is a great comfort to know that we can use them when we need to."

Liver Disease mortality rates have increased by 400% since 1970 and is the third most common form of premature death in the UK.

The most common form of liver disease is alcohol-related, followed by fatty liver disease caused by obesity. The steep rise in both alcohol consumption and obesity in recent decades has led to increases in both conditions.

Incidences of chronic viral hepatitis are also on the rise, with annual deaths from hepatitis C having quadrupled since 1996, and significant increases in hepatitis B infection.

Strengthening of continuity of care for children with liver disease surviving into adult life

A range of population-level measures such as a minimum unit price for alcohol

Promotion of healthier lifestyles with clearer government messaging and new regulations on the food industry

Eradication of chronic HBV and HCV infection from the country by 2020

Greater provision of medical training in hepatology

A national campaign led by NHS England to increase awareness of liver disease in the general population

]]>h.ellison@bsg.org.uk (howard)frontpageTue, 25 Nov 2014 00:00:00 +0000The Role of Faecal Calprotectin in Primary Carehttp://www.bsg.org.uk/clinical-guidance/ibd/the-role-of-faecal-calprotectin-in-primary-care.html
http://www.bsg.org.uk/clinical-guidance/ibd/the-role-of-faecal-calprotectin-in-primary-care.htmlA joint position statement by the Neurogastroenterology & Motility and IBD sections of the BSG:

Faecal calprotectin is recommended for use in primary care to aid in the differential diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in adults with recent onset lower gastrointestinal symptoms for whom specialist assessment is being considered1. This should be in patients aged less than 60 with inflammatory bowel type symptoms in whom cancer is not suspected. Appropriate quality assurance processes and locally agreed care pathways should also be in place for the testing. A normal cut off value of 50µg/g is recommended2. It is anticipated that this strategy would lead to a reduction in secondary care referrals and colonoscopies with associated reduced cost and morbidity1,2,3.

Faecal calprotectin is additionally recommended for use in follow-up of patients with inflammatory bowel disease for detection of relapse or treatment failure in secondary care. A normal cut off value of 250µg/g is recommended3. A lower cut off of 50µg/g could be considered in secondary care to differentiate inflammatory from non-inflammatory lower gastrointestinal symptoms2.

The Dr Falk/Core awards recognise those who bring new knowledge and insight to the field of gastroenterology and hepatology. For those committed to furthering research or patient care, this year's awards are an opportunity to achieve national recognition as well as the financial support for career progression.

This year's prizes include:

A £1,000 essay prize for medical students on BSc or MRes courses

Four £1,500 bursaries for medical students taking full time science degrees

Two £2,500 bursaries to support research for F1/F2 doctors

A £1,000 award for primary and secondary care nurses for initiatives which have advanced patient care.

The application deadline is 5pm on Monday 16th March 2015. Applications received after this time will not be considered.

]]>j.solomon@bsg.org.uk (Julie Solomon)frontpageFri, 17 Oct 2014 13:52:08 +0000Free-to-view webinar 'Constipation in children and young people: implementing the NICE quality standard' http://www.bsg.org.uk/education/resources/free-to-view-webinar-constipation-in-children-and-young-people-implementing-the-nice-quality-standard.html
http://www.bsg.org.uk/education/resources/free-to-view-webinar-constipation-in-children-and-young-people-implementing-the-nice-quality-standard.htmlMGP, the publisher of Guidelines and Guidelines in Practice has produced free-to-view webinars for healthcare professionals to help them keep up to date with best practice and maintain their guideline-related learning.

Constipation in children and young people: implementing the NICE quality standard

The webinar will be presented by Dr Hasan Chowhan and Lynne Watson on Wednesday 22nd October, 2 - 3pm and will:

Discuss the NICE quality standard on constipation in children and young people

]]>h.ellison@bsg.org.uk (howard)frontpageMon, 29 Sep 2014 12:25:43 +0000seAFOod Polyp Prevention Trial re-openshttp://www.bsg.org.uk/research/clinical-trials-updates/seafood-polyp-prevention-trial-re-opens.html
http://www.bsg.org.uk/research/clinical-trials-updates/seafood-polyp-prevention-trial-re-opens.html26 Sept 2014 After a period of several months when recruitment was hampered by drug supply problems, this important chemoprevention trial set in the English Bowel Cancer Screening Programme (BCSP) will be fully open for recruitment again in BCSP sites across England. Trial investigators: please be on the look-out for 'high risk' polyp cases needing one-year surveillance colonoscopy from the first week in October onwards. The Trial now needs to recruit a minimum 20 participants per month for the next 18 months or so in order to reach target. Together, we can prove that the BSG and BCSP can host large, practice-changing drug trials such as this. A big thank-you to all contributing to the Trial. Mark Hull (Chief Investigator)]]>j.solomon@bsg.org.uk (Julie Solomon)frontpageFri, 26 Sep 2014 09:11:40 +0000